[dwaltrip]

The nice thing about project-based learning is that it is well grounded, by definition. Theory is useless without some form of grounding.

Group projects... well, that is a another thing entirely.

[tebugst]

Absolutely agree with you. Without context and purpose there is no meaning in action. And CS is very broad field. Learning theory without practical is like wondering forest without knowing path. Now if forest is small, it may work but if forest is big then you will definitely lose.